Burn Card

A burn card is a card removed from the top of the deck and placed face-down before dealing the community cards (Flop, Turn, and River). The main purpose of using a burn card is to prevent cheating, such as card tracking or peeking at the top card, which could compromise the fairness of the game. By discarding a burn card before revealing the community cards, players are assured that the distribution is truly random.

This practice is used in both home games and professional settings to protect the integrity of the game. When the dealer burns a card, they are following a standardized procedure designed to prevent any potential manipulation of the deck, especially when dealing from the top. This tradition originates from earlier forms of card games where players were wary of card manipulation techniques such as marked cards. Incorporating a burn card is a simple yet effective safeguard that adds to the professionalism of the game and builds trust among players.